GARDEN GROVE, C, Nov. 8, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Shakespeare Orange County will re-open Garden Grove's Gem Theatre on December 1 with Jeremy Brooks and Adrian Mitchell's adaptation of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales." The musical was a perennial holiday favorite at the Gem from 1986-92, and will be restaged by Shakespeare Orange County as part of the City of Garden Grove's fiftieth anniversary.
"A Child's Christmas in Wales" is a sensitive and charming musical based on Dylan Thomas' heartwarming short story about a Welsh family's Christmas experience. Intertwined with traditional Christmas songs, it's a tale that recounts a Christmas of long ago -- a time long before the age of Internet technology and the freeway fastlane.
"We were very fortunate to be able to re-assemble so many of the members of the original team, as well as returning cast members," commented Shakespeare Orange County Founding Artistic Producing Director Thomas F. Bradac. "Daniel Cartmell directed the production from 1986-88, followed by myself from 1989-90, and then Bud Leslie directed the show from 1991-92. All three of us are working together on this production -- the show seems to generate a sense of magic and warmth to those that see it, and of course, it's special to all of us." Bradac originally produced "A Child's Christmas in Wales" at the Gem as part of the Grove Shakespeare Festival's theatrical activities from 1986-1991.
Returning to the company include original GSF cast and family members Danny Oberbeck, Gary Bell, and Marnie Crossen. Oberbeck originally played a young Dylan Thomas in "A Child's Christmas in Wales." This season Danny's back, but in the role of a much more mature Dylan, while his fifteen-year-old son "Dylan" makes his own debut appearance in the production. Also featured in the cast is Nancy Estes, wife of the late composer Chuck Estes, who served as the original music director for "A Child's Christmas in Wales." Other returning cast members include Michelle Loven, Leisa Jo Waller, Renata Florin, and Larry Fisher.
"A Child's Christmas in Wales" opens on Friday, December 1, and plays through December 17 at the Gem Theatre, 12852 Main Street, Garden Grove, California. Performances run Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., with Sunday matinee performances at 3:00 p.m. Single tickets are just $29.00, and special prices for seniors, students, and groups are available. For more information call the SOC box office at (714) 744-7016 or visit their website at www.chapman.edu/shakespeare.
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Listing Information:
Producing Organization: Shakespeare Orange County
Show Title: A Child's Christmas in Wales
Venue: The Gem Theatre
12852 Main Street
Garden Grove, California
Dates: December 1-17,
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.,
Sundays at 3 p.m.
Prices: $29.00 for single tickets;
senior, student and group rates available.
For additional information:
Call (714) 744-7016